Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme

Ekwueme worked between 1932 and 2017 across architect and politician. This article rests on 7 scholarly references drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

• Honorific Suffix — GCON • Office — 5th Vice President of Nigeria • President — Shehu Shagari • Term Start — 1 October 1979 • Term End — 31 December 1983 • Predecessor — Shehu Musa Yar'Adua as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters • Successor — Tunde Idiagbon as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters • Birth Name — Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme • Born — 21 October 1932 • Birthplace — Oko, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Anambra State, Nigeria) • Died — 19 November 2017 • Place of death — London, England • Party — National Party of Nigeria (1979 to 1983) • Spouse — Beatrice Chigozili Ekwueme • Relations — Lazarus Ekwueme (brother) • Alma Mater — * King's College, Lagos • University of Washington • University of London • University of Strathclyde • Nigerian Law School • Occupation — * Politician • lawyer • architect

Alex Ekwueme was born to Igbo parents in Oko Town, in present day Anambra State on 21 October 1932. He died at 10:00pm on 19 November 2017 at a clinic in London. He had to be flown there after his relapse to a coma which he fell into as a result of his fall in his Enugu residence.

Ekwueme started primary school at the St John's Anglican Central School, at Ekwulobia, then he proceeded to King's College, Lagos. As an awardee of the Fulbright Scholarship in the United States of America (being one of the first Nigerians to gain the award), He attended the University of Washington where he earned bachelor's degree in Architecture and city planning. He obtained his master's degree in urban planning. Dr. Ekwueme also earned degrees in sociology, history, philosophy and law from the University of London. He later proceeded to obtain a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, before gaining BL (honours) degree from the Nigerian Law School.

Ekwueme was a distinguished architect. He started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle-based firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also with the London based firm Nickson and Partners. On his return to Nigeria, he joined ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing the Construction and Maintenance department. He then went on to create a successful private business with his firm - Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria. His practice flourished with 16 offices spread all over Nigeria and was wound up in preparation for Ekwueme assuming office as the first executive vice president of Nigeria. Ekwueme had presided over the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria. He was chairman of the board of trustees of the Nigerian Institute of Architects. Before Ekwueme gained national and international limelight as the vice president of Nigeria in 1979, he was actively involved in the socio-economic development of his community. In addition to his many public service roles within his community, Ekwueme started an active Educational Trust Fund that has been responsible for sponsoring the education of several hundred youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad. Ekwueme was a member of the housing sub-committee of the Adebo Salaries and Wages Review Commission. He also served for many years on the board of the Anambra State Housing Development Authority On the national front.

Ekwueme was the first elected Vice President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Nigerian Republic serving under President Shehu Shagari as a member of the National People’s Party (NPN).

Ekwueme participated in the 1995 National Constitutional Conference (NCC) in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on the Structure and Framework of the Constitution. His famous proposals at the NCC for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones have now come to be accepted as necessary for maintaining a stable Nigerian polity. Ekwueme mobilized the group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives to stand up against the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha during the era of military rule in Nigeria. He was the founding chairman of the ruling party in Nigeria and was the first chairman of the party's board of trustees. Ekwueme was a prolific philanthropist, public servant, and a man of peace. He was a member of the board of directors of Canada-based Forum of Federations. He was also a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Elders. Ekwueme was leader of the team assembled by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for pre-election monitoring for the parliamentary election in Zimbabwe in 2000. He was the leader of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) observer team to the Tanzanian Presidential and Parliamentary election in 2000. Ekwueme co-led the 28-member NDI/Carter Centre-sponsored Observer Team to the Liberian presidential run-off election in 2005. Most recently Dr Ekwueme was called upon by the ruling party in Nigeria to head the Reconciliation Committee in the wake of intra-party discord and after the recent presidential election.

Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme was born on 1 January 1932 in Oko Town. Ekwueme held the nationality of Nigeria. Ekwueme was educated at University of London, King's College, Lagos, University of Strathclyde and Nigerian Law School. Ekwueme worked as architect and politician. Ekwueme worked in English and Nigerian Pidgin.